National coach Domenico Tedesco has announced his 26-man squad for the Red Devils’ practice matches against Serbia (November 15) and the final European Championship qualifying match against Azerbaijan (November 19). The injured Jan Vertonghen, Aster Vranckx and Alexis Saelemaekers, among others, are present.
LOOK. Tedesco announces its selection of 26 names
Striking: Tedesco chose 26 names instead of 24. “Because there are still some question marks,” the national coach was honest. “It will be a special international break. There is not that much time with one week, but with the friendly match there is room to test some things.”
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Zinho Vanheusden is called up again, because there are still some doubts about Jan Vertonghen. The record international injured his ankle at Anderlecht, but Tedesco still decided to select him. “Jan is a question mark, but his situation is improving day by day. I called him and also consulted the doctor. We hope to recover it during the week. Serbia may be too early, but Azerbaijan is a possibility.”
WATCH ALSO. Tedesco: “Vertonghen remains a question mark”
Two more notable names returning to the selection are Alexis Saelemaekers and Aster Vranckx. “I see Alexis as a right wingback. That position is open. Hugo Siquet did very well there, but now has two important matches with the promises. Aster recently played two very good matches. Charles De Ketelaere is injured and we had to change the rifle. Aster is his replacement.”
With a win against the Azeris, the Devils are assured of a group win in qualifying pool F. This means they will most likely also be the seed during the draw for the final round of the European Championship, on Saturday, December 2 in Hamburg. Only Hungary can keep the Red Devils out of the top five best group winners, but the Belgians have a much more positive goal difference.
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12:18
End of press conference
Tedesco’s press chat is already over. Next week it will be up to the 26 selected players to prove their skills on the field.
12:17
Rest for Doku?
Will certain key figures such as Jeremy Doku get some rest in their overcrowded schedule? “We are looking at everything closely. They are taking good care of him at Manchester City. He is not playing everything and we are happy with that. The priority is next week’s match against Azerbaijan. We would also like to win against Serbia, but that is incidental.”
12:14
Thorgan out of ten? He can certainly do that, but there is stiff competition there too. For the European Championship I can only take 20 field players with me, we will continue to monitor him.
National coach Domenico Tedesco
12:12
Thorgan Hazard
Will Thorgan Hazard come back? “First and foremost, I am happy that he is playing well again,” said Tedesco. “The past few years have not been that easy for him. The question is who we get out for him. I have Jérémy Doku, Dodi Lukebakio, Leandro Trossard, Johan Bakayoko in that place. The competition is fierce.”
12:10
What about Alderweireld?
Tedesco: “I have spoken to Toby Alderweireld a few times. He has withdrawn himself, but it is good to know that the door is open. That is a reassuring feeling. The same applies to others like Dries Mertens, but the places are expensive “Anything is possible, they are not yet completely out of our minds.”
We will test things against Serbia. No crazy things, but things that we can use at the European Championships.
National coach Domenico Tedesco
12:07
Return of Saelemaekers and Vranckx
Two notable names returning to the selection are Alexis Saelemaekers and Aster Vranckx. “I see Alexis as a right wingback. That position is open. Hugo Siquet did very well in that position, but now has two important matches with the reserves. Aster recently played two very good matches. Charles De Ketelaere is injured and we had to change the gun. Aster is his replacement.”
12:06
About question mark Vertonghen
“Jan Vertonghen is a question mark, but his situation is improving day by day. I called him and also consulted the doctor. We hope to recover him during the week. Serbia may still be too early, but Azerbaijan is a possibility.”
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12:04
26 selected instead of 24
Tedesco chooses 26 names instead of 24. “Because there are still some question marks. It will be a special international break. There is not that much time with one week, but with the friendly match there is room to test some things. “
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12:03
The 26 names
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11:58
Press conference starts at 12 noon
The national coach is preparing for the press conference together with press officer Stefan Van Loock. We’ll find out the names in a few minutes.
11:28
Puzzling
In addition to the return of Leandro Trossard, it will be a puzzle again for national coach Domenico Tedesco. For example, Jan Vertonghen is uncertain with an ankle injury and the names of the injured Mandela Keita and Charles De Ketelaere can certainly be canceled. Will we get any surprising replacements?
11:26
Return Trossard
A name that we can already write down in pencil after his successful performance earlier this week in the Champions League: Leandro Trossard. The Arsenal striker missed the previous international break with an injury, but now he will probably be one of the first on national coach Tedesco’s list.
